Perennial MVP candidate Kobe Bryant believes Carmelo Anthony is a leading candidate to win the award this season.

"I don't think there's a question about it," Bryant, the 2007-08 MVP, said Thursday. "I've seen him when he was in Denver. He's played this way before. It just depends on how well your team is playing, really, the type of recognition you get. What he's doing to me is not a surprise."

Steve Novak doesn't know what his NBA role would be if Mike D'Antoni hadn't given him a chance last season. "He had confidence in me," Novak said. "He valued what I do. Without that, I'm not sure what would have happened.''

Woodson's advice for Amar'e Stoudemire, who was married Wednesday: "Just listen, keep your mouth shut and keep it moving." . . . Former Yankee Bernie Williams performed the national anthem on his guitar . . . During tomorrow night's game against Cleveland, longtime TV and radio analyst John Andariese, who retired before the season, will be honored with the Dick McGuire Legacy Award.

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